Australian Open given the green light to begin on February 8

Craig Tiley insists the event’s Covid safeguards will protect the community when a delayed summer of tennis begins in February.

Miss Universe Australia winner Maria Thattil is the Piper-Heidsieck tennis ambassador for the Australian Open. Picture: David Caird

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley has guaranteed the event’s COVID-19 safeguards will protect the Melbourne community when a delayed summer of tennis begins in February.

Confirmation the Australian Open will begin on February 8 occurred on Saturday when Victoria’s chief medical officer Brett Sutton endorsed the rigid protocols that will see players tested six times in January, both before and during quarantine.

It ends months of negotiations between Tennis Australia officials, state and government medical officials and the respective ATP and WTA Tours, with the confirmation occurring four weeks after it was initially hoped.

“It has taken eight months of working alongside government authorities, here in Victoria, nationally and interstate, to give us the opportunity to present an Australian Open that will play a major role in both the economic and psychological reinvigoration and rejuvenation of Melbourne and Victoria,” Tiley said.

Up to 1100 people will fly to Australia in the middle of January, with Tennis Australia chartering flights for competitors from the Middle East, Asia and Los Angeles.

Tiley is confident every top line player will venture to Australia to compete, with events to be held throughout February in Melbourne carrying prize money of more than $80 million.

He said they were “cashing in our credits” built over ten years of catering to players at a tournament billed as the “happy slam”.

While there are challenges associated with quarantine, which are more challenging than any they have faced to date, he is confident the world’s best players are motivated to travel to Australia for up to six weeks.

Serena Williams, for example, is determined to claim a 24th major title, which would draw her level with Margaret Court on the all-time list.

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are vying for the all-time record in the men’s ranks.

While Federer recently cast doubt on his appearance as he recovers from a knee operation, Tiley is hopeful.

The 20-time major champion has travelled to Dubai to train and is aiming to return to the circuit when fully fit.

“Serena is particularly excited. She has a record to beat,” Tiley said.

“Rafa and Roger, they are both on 20. Novak Djokovic has dominated here in Australia at Melbourne Park and he wants to close the gap between Rafa and Roger. They are great stories.

“Ash Barty, the number one in the world, can we come in and have an Australian this year, either on the men’s or women’s side, because it has been a while, back in the 70s.

“It is an exciting time.”

An abridged ATP Cup, which will carry prize money of almost $10 million for 12 nations, will be held in the first week of February.

The men’s tournament will use two of the three roofed stadiums at Melbourne Park.

The WTA Tour will host two 500 Tier tournaments in the first week, with either Rod Laver Arena or Margaret Court Arena dedicated to hosting the women’s events.

Events will also be held in the second week of the Australian Open for players who are beaten in the early rounds of the first grand slam of 2021.

Victoria’s acting minister for tourism, sport and major events Jaclyn Symes confirmed on Saturday the Australian Open will begin on February 8.

The two global tours for both sexes effectively pre-empted the announcements earlier this week when details of their calendars for the start of 2021 were released.

But Tennis Australia and the Victorian Government were still finalising details in relation to health protocols and factors including crowd capacity.

“Melbourne is the home of the biggest sporting events and it’s fantastic that arrangements have been settled for Melbourne Park in February,” Symes said.

Tennis player John Millman and his girlfriend Fi in the Sofitel Wentworth Hotel in quarantine whilst waiting for the Australian Open tennis grand slam to be announced. Picture: Jane Dempster/The Australian.

“The 2021 Open will look a bit different and that’s necessary to ensure the safety of everyone, from players, ball kids and the wider community.”

Players will arrive in Melbourne from mid-January, undertaking a mandatory two-week quarantine period that permits them to train for a maximum of five hours per day at a secure facility.

They will be tested prior to departing for Australia and then a minimum of five times during their quarantine period.

If they test positive, they will be subject to standard quarantine arrangements until being cleared by public health officials.

Melbourne’s contract to host the Australian Open has been extended for another three years, with the event to be held in the Victorian capital until at least 2039.